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A major part of the appeal of the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* is the fashion countless cards narrate iconic tales. Cards like Tidus, Blitzball Star, which provides a portrait of the character at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned professional athlete whose key technique is a fancy shot that takes a defender out of the way. The abilities represent this with subtlety. Such storytelling is prevalent in the entire Final Fantasy offering, and some are not joyful stories. Some are poignant reminders of sad moments fans remember vividly decades later.

"Emotional tales are a vital part of the Final Fantasy legacy," wrote a lead game designer involved with the set. "They created some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it was primarily on a case-by-case level."

Though the Zack Fair card is not a tournament staple, it represents one of the release's most refined pieces of flavor through rules. It skillfully captures one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most important story moments in spectacular fashion, all while utilizing some of the set's central gameplay elements. And although it doesn't spoil anything, those acquainted with the saga will quickly recognize the emotional weight behind it.

The Mechanics: A Narrative in Play

For one mana of white (the alignment of heroes) in this set, Zack Fair enters with a starting stat line of 0/1 but arrives with a +1/+1 marker. By spending one generic mana, you can destroy the card to give another unit you control protection from destruction and transfer all of Zack’s bonuses, along with an gear, onto that chosen creature.

This design depicts a moment FF fans are all too remember, a moment that has been reimagined again and again — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even reimagined versions in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it lands with equal force here, conveyed solely through rules text. Zack makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Card

For backstory, and here is your *FF7* spoiler alert: Years before the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a battle with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the duo get away. The entire time, Cloud is comatose, but Zack makes sure to look after his comrade. They eventually make it the plains outside Midgar before Zack is killed by Shinra soldiers. Presumed dead, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a first-class SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Reenacting the Passing of the Torch on the Battlefield

In a game, the rules essentially let you recreate this entire scene. The Buster Sword is featured as a strong piece of armament in the collection that costs three mana and provides the equipped creature +3/+2. So, for a total of six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword attached.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has intentional synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to look through your library for an weapon card. Together, these pieces play out like this: You summon Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you cast Cloud to fetch the Buster Sword from your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Owing to the manner Zack’s signature action is designed, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “intercept” an assault and trigger it to prevent the damage entirely. This allows you to do this at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a strong 6/4 that, each time he does damage a player, lets you gain card advantage and cast two spells for free. This is exactly the kind of interaction alluded to when discussing “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics trigger the recollection.

Extending Past the Main Interaction

And the narrative here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches beyond just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity is part of the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s initial +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER enhancement he received, which included modification with Jenova cells. It's a subtle connection, but one that cleverly connects the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

This design avoids showing his death, or Cloud’s trauma, or the rain-soaked bluff where it all ends. It does not need to. *Magic* enables you to reenact the passing yourself. You choose the sacrifice. You pass the sword on. And for a short instant, while playing a trading card game, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most impactful game in the saga for many fans.